Method and Device for Improved Accuracy of Proximity and Touch Detection in Mobile Devices

ABSTRACT

A mobile device has a proximity sensor. A compensation value of the proximity sensor is determined. The compensation value is compared to a reference compensation value to determine validity of the compensation value. A capacitance of the proximity sensor is measured. A value of the capacitance of the proximity sensor is adjusted based on the compensation value. A coefficient defining a relationship between a capacitance of the proximity sensor and a temperature of the mobile device is calculated. A temperature sensor is coupled to the proximity sensor. The temperature of the mobile device is measured. A value of the capacitance of the proximity sensor is adjusted based on the coefficient and the temperature of the mobile device. The adjusted capacitance value is compared to a threshold capacitance value to determine proximity of an object to the mobile device. A radio frequency signal is adjusted by detecting proximity.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to sensors and, moreparticularly, to a method and device for improved accuracy of proximityand touch detection in mobile devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Smartphones and other mobile devices have rapidly become ubiquitousthroughout the world. Mobile phones and tablet computers are commonlyseen in use at restaurants, in waiting rooms, or on street corners.Mobile devices are used for gaming, photography, listening to music,social networking, or simply talking with another person via a built inmicrophone and speaker.

Mobile devices enrich lives by keeping family and friends incommunication, allowing any moment to be captured as a photo or video,and providing a means of contacting someone in an emergency situation.At the same time, mobile devices pose certain dangers to users.Accidents occur when a driver is distracted by an incoming text messageor ongoing phone call. Pedestrians are injured or killed due to payingcloser attention to a mobile device than to nearby traffic. In addition,the potential exists that radiation emanating from a mobile device willbe absorbed by a human body and cause damage to the health of a user.

FIG. 1a illustrates a mobile device 10. Mobile device 10 is atouchscreen slate cellular (cell) phone. In other embodiments, mobiledevice 10 is a tablet computer, pager, GPS receiver, smartwatch or otherwearable computer, laptop computer, handheld game console, or any otherdevice capable of radio communication.

Mobile device 10 includes touchscreen 12 on a front side of the mobiledevice. Touchscreen 12 is used to display a graphical user interface(GUI). The GUI on touchscreen 12 presents feedback, notifications, andother information to a user as determined by an operating system ofmobile device 10. Touchscreen 12 is sensitive to physical touch frombody parts of a user of mobile device 10. Touchscreen 12 utilizesresistance, capacitance, acoustic waves, an infrared grid, opticalimaging, or other methods to determine the presence and location of auser's touch.

In one common usage scenario of mobile device 10, touchscreen 12displays a button as a part of the GUI, and a user touches the locationof the button on the touchscreen to perform an action associated withthe button. In one embodiment, touchscreen 12 displays a 3×4 telephonekeypad. A user dials a telephone number on the displayed keypad bytouching touchscreen 12 at the locations where the desired numbers todial are displayed. Touchscreen 12 displays an alphanumeric or otherkeyboard along with, or as an alternative to, the telephone keypad, witha user touching the touchscreen in the location of letters, numbers, orsymbols to be entered in a text input field displayed on thetouchscreen. Touchscreen 12 is also used to watch downloaded or streamedvideos, or play games, with a user's touch controlling playback of thevideo or play of the game. In some embodiments, touchscreen 12 issensitive to a user's touch when the display component of thetouchscreen is disabled. While listening to music, a user pauses themusic, or advances to the next track of music, by drawing a symbol ontouchscreen 12 even though nothing is displayed on the touchscreen.

Buttons 14 provide an alternative user input mechanism to touchscreen12. Buttons 14 perform functionality depending on the programming of theoperating system running on mobile device 10. In one embodiment, buttons14 return the GUI on touchscreen 12 to a home screen, go back to aprevious GUI screen, or open up a menu on the GUI. In other embodiments,the functionality of buttons 14 changes based on a context displayed ontouchscreen 12.

Speaker 16 provides audible feedback to a user of mobile device 10. Whenmobile device 10 receives an incoming message, speaker 16 produces anaudible notification sound to alert a user to the received message. Anincoming telephone call causes a ringing sound from speaker 16 to alertthe user. In other embodiments, a musical ringtone, selectable via theGUI on touchscreen 12, is played via speaker 16 when an incomingtelephone call is received. When mobile device 10 is used to participatein a telephone call, a user of the mobile device speaks into microphone17 while the other conversation participants' voices are reproduced byspeaker 16. When a user watches a movie or plays a game, the soundassociated with the movie or game is produced by speaker 16 for the userto hear.

Front facing camera 18 provides visual feedback to the operating systemof mobile device 10. Camera 18 creates a digital image of the areafacing touchscreen 12. Camera 18 is used in video chat applicationsrunning on mobile device 10 to capture video of a user's face during aconversation. Mobile device 10 transmits the video of a user to anothermobile device in another location, and receives a streaming video ofanother person using the other mobile device which is displayed ontouchscreen 12. Camera 18 is also used to take selfies or otherpictures. When camera 18 is used to take pictures, touchscreen 12displays the image being captured by the camera so that the touchscreenis an electronic viewfinder. Captured photographs are stored on memorywithin mobile device 10 for subsequent viewing on touchscreen 12,sharing on social networks, or backing up to a personal computer.

Housing 20 provides structural support and protection for the internalcomponents of mobile device 10. Housing 20 is made of rigid plastic ormetallic materials to withstand environmental hazards which cause harmto the circuit boards and other components within mobile device 10 ifexposed directly. In one embodiment, a panel of housing 20 oppositetouchscreen 12 is removable to expose interchangeable parts of mobiledevice 10 such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) card, flashmemory card, or battery. Housing 20 includes a transparent glass orplastic portion over touchscreen 12, which protects the touchscreen fromenvironmental factors while allowing a user's touch to be sensed throughthe housing.

FIG. 1b illustrates a user 30 operating mobile device 10 as a telephone.A portion of housing 20 is removed to illustrate antenna 32 withinmobile device 10. User 30 holds mobile device 10 with speaker 16 over anear of the user. Microphone 17 is oriented toward a mouth of user 30.When user 30 speaks, microphone 17 detects and digitizes the user'svoice for transmission to a person the user is speaking with. The personthat user 30 is speaking with transmits a digitized voice signal tomobile device 10 which is reproduced on speaker 16 and heard by theuser. User 30 thereby converses with another person using mobile device10.

Mobile device 10 sends a voice signal of user 30, and receives a voicesignal of a person being conversed with, using a cellular network orother network capable of voice traffic. In various embodiments, mobiledevice 10 transmits voice signals and other data over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,GSM, CDMA, LTE, HSPA+, WiMAX, or other wireless network types. Mobiledevice 10 transmits a voice signal using radio frequency (RF)electromagnetic waves emanating from RF antenna 32. An RF amplifier inmobile device 10 supplies an electric current, which contains the voiceinformation and oscillates at radio frequencies, to antenna 32. Antenna32 radiates energy of the current as electromagnetic waves through thesurrounding atmosphere. The electromagnetic waves reach a cellular towerwhich forwards the voice signal on to ultimately be received by theperson that user 30 is conversing with.

FIG. 1c is a block diagram of an RF section 33 of mobile device 10. RFsection 33 represents a portion of the circuitry located on a circuitboard within mobile device 10. RF section 33 includes microcontroller orcentral processing unit (CPU) 34, RF transceiver 36, RF amplifier 38,and antenna 32. For mobile device 10 to receive an audio signal or otherdigital data, radio waves are first received by antenna 32. Oscillatingelectric and magnetic fields of an incoming radio wave exert force onelectrons in antenna 32, causing the electrons to oscillate and creatinga current in the antenna. RF transceiver 36 demodulates the incomingsignal to eliminate RF frequencies and sends the underlying data to CPU34.

When mobile device 10 is transmitting data, CPU 34 first provides datato be transmitted. In one embodiment, CPU 34 receives audio data frommicrophone 17 and performs digital signal processing functions on theaudio data. CPU 34 performs any digital signal processing or basebandprocessing required for the audio data, or a separate digital signalprocessor (DSP) or baseband integrated circuit (IC) is used. In otherembodiments, non-voice data is sent, e.g., an outgoing text message or auniform resource locator (URL) of a website which user 30 wishes to viewon touchscreen 12. Once CPU 34 has received or generated the data to betransmitted, the data is sent from the CPU to RF transceiver 36. RFtransceiver 36 generates an RF signal containing the data to betransmitted by modulating the data using the frequency for a networkthat mobile device 10 is communicating with.

The RF signal is sent from RF transceiver 36 to RF amplifier 38. RFamplifier 38 amplifies the signal from RF transceiver 36 to generate ahigher power RF signal for transmission by antenna 32. RF amplifier 38sends the amplified RF signal to antenna 32. The amplified RF signalcauses an oscillating current of electrons within antenna 32. Theoscillating electric current creates an oscillating magnetic fieldaround antenna 32 and an oscillating electric field along the antenna.The time-varying electric and magnetic fields radiate away from antenna32 into the surrounding environment as an RF electromagnetic wave.

The output power of RF amplifier 38 is controlled by CPU 34. CPU 34controls the strength of an RF signal emanating from antenna 32 byconfiguring a gain setting of RF amplifier 38. A device receiving radiowaves from mobile device 10 can be from a few feet away for in-homeWi-Fi, to a few miles away for rural cellular service, or potentiallyeven further away from the mobile device. A higher gain setting of RFamplifier 38 causes a higher power electromagnetic radio wave to emanatefrom mobile device 10. A higher power electromagnetic radio wave isreceived at a location further away from mobile device 10.

Antenna 32 is omnidirectional, i.e., the antenna radiates energyapproximately equally in every direction from mobile device 10. Anomnidirectional antenna 32 gives mobile device 10 good connectivity witha cellular tower without regard to the angle the mobile device is heldat. However, due to the omnidirectional nature of antenna 32, asignificant amount of RF electromagnetic radiation from the antenna isradiated into user 30 when the user holds the mobile device near a bodypart, as illustrated in FIG. 1b . Some health concerns exist in relationto RF radiation from mobile devices, such as mobile device 10, beingabsorbed by the human body. Some studies suggest that RF energy absorbedby the body may be linked to cancer and other illnesses.

Specific absorption rate (SAR) is a measure of the rate at which energyis absorbed by the human body when exposed to an RF electromagneticfield. SAR measures exposure to electromagnetic fields between 100 kHzand 10 GHz. A SAR rating is commonly used in association with cellphones and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners.

When measuring SAR due to mobile device 10, the mobile device is placedat the head in a talk position, as illustrated in FIG. 1b . The SARvalue is then measured at the location that has the highest absorptionrate in the entire head, which is generally the closest portion of thehead to antenna 32. In the United States, the Federal CommunicationsCommission (FCC) requires that mobile devices have a SAR level at orbelow 1.6 watts per kilogram (W/kg) taken over the volume containing amass of 1 gram of tissue that is absorbing the most RF energy. InEurope, the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization(CENELEC) specifies a SAR limit of 2 W/kg averaged over the 10 grams oftissue absorbing the most RF energy.

Regulations limiting the SAR from mobile device 10 in effect limit theRF power of the mobile device when in use near the body of user 30.Limiting RF output limits signal strength and can degrade connectivityof mobile device 10 to cell phone towers. FIGS. 2a-2c show graphs of SARversus the distance of mobile device 10 from user 30. In FIGS. 2a and 2b, RF amplifier 38 has a constant power output. In FIG. 2a , CPU 34 hasconfigured RF amplifier 38 for high RF power and good connectivity ofmobile device 10 to cell phone towers. Line 40 illustrates that with aconstant RF power output, SAR is reduced as mobile device 10 is movedfurther away from user 30, i.e., further right on the graph in FIG. 2a .As mobile device 10 is moved closer to user 30, SAR increases.

Radiation emanating from mobile device 10 attenuates as the radiationtravels further away from antenna 32. When mobile device 10 is directlynext to the head of user 30, much of the radiation emanating fromantenna 32 is concentrated on a small area of the head, resulting in ahigh SAR. When mobile device 10 is further away from user 30, radiationspreads out and hits a larger area of the user's body at a lower energylevel. Much of the radiation which hits user 30 when mobile device 10 isheld up to the head will miss the user when the mobile device is held ata distance.

Line 40 shows that when configured for high RF power and goodconnectivity, mobile device 10 will exceed SAR regulatory limit 42 whenthe mobile device is held within a distance d of a body part of user 30.In one embodiment, the distance d at which mobile device 10 exceeds SARregulatory limit 42 when configured for high power output is 10millimeters (mm). Mobile device 10 as configured in FIG. 2a includesgood connectivity but is out of compliance with SAR regulations.

One solution to ensure that the SAR of mobile device 10 remains underregulatory limit 42 is to reduce the RF output power of the mobiledevice, illustrated by FIG. 2b . Line 44 shows that as mobile device 10is moved further away from user 30, SAR is reduced, as with theconfiguration of FIG. 2a . However, in FIG. 2b , mobile device 10 isconfigured for a lower RF output, and does not exceed SAR regulatorylimit 42 when the mobile device is held against user 30. The lower RFoutput makes mobile device 10 in compliance with SAR regulations, butreduces connectivity of the mobile device.

FIG. 2c illustrates another solution to maintaining the SAR of mobiledevice 10 under regulatory limit 42. When mobile device 10 is held at adistance greater than d from user 30, RF power output of the mobiledevice, illustrated by line 46, is at a level similar to the higherpower setting illustrated in FIG. 2a . When mobile device 10 is movedwithin a distance d of user 30, i.e., the distance at which SAR wouldexceed regulatory limit 42 in the configuration of FIG. 2a , the RFoutput of the mobile device is reduced to remain under the regulatorylimit. The reduced RF output within distance d is illustrated by line48, which is similar to line 44 of FIG. 2b . As configured in FIG. 2c ,mobile device 10 includes good connectivity when held a distance greaterthan d from user 30, and a reduced RF output to remain under SARregulatory limit 42 when held within a distance d of the user.

To implement the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2c , mobile device 10includes a proximity sensor used to detect distance from user 30. Whenthe proximity sensor detects user 30 is within a distance d of theproximity sensor, CPU 34 reduces the RF power output of RF amplifier 38to prevent the SAR of mobile device 10 from rising above regulatorylimit 42. When the proximity sensor detects no human body within adistance d of mobile device 10, CPU 34 increases RF power output toimprove connectivity.

One goal of mobile device manufacturers is to improve the accuracy ofproximity sensors. Inaccurate proximity readings result in a high powermode of mobile device 10 being enabled within a distance d of user 30,in violation of SAR regulations. Inaccurate proximity readings alsoresult in a low power mode of mobile device 10 being enabled outside adistance d of user 30, resulting in an unnecessary degradation ofconnectivity. An accurate proximity sensor provides for an immediatedecrease of RF power output when a mobile device is moved within adistance d of a human body, and an immediate increase of RF power outputwhen the mobile device is moved outside of a distance d of the humanbody.

A number of challenges exist to producing an accurate proximity readingin mobile devices. A capacitive touch sensor must be properly calibratedto ignore the detected capacitance of the environment, and report onlythe capacitance resulting from a nearby human body. Calibration ofcapacitive touch sensors is a challenge because the environmentalcapacitance changes with temperature and humidity, among other factors.In addition, if calibration occurs while a body part is within proximityof the sensor, the sensor includes the human body in the ignoredenvironmental capacitance. Cancelling a portion of the capacitanceattributable to a user in proximity to a mobile device reduces thesensitivity of a proximity sensor, potentially preventing proximity frombeing detected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A need exists to improve the accuracy of proximity and touch detectionin mobile devices. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present inventionis a method of detecting proximity comprising the steps of providing amobile device including a proximity sensor, determining a compensationvalue of the proximity sensor, and comparing the compensation value to areference compensation value to determine validity of the compensationvalue.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of detectingproximity comprising the steps of providing a mobile device including aproximity sensor, determining a compensation value of the proximitysensor, and determining validity of the compensation value.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of detectingproximity, comprising the steps of providing a proximity sensor, anddetermining a reference compensation value of the proximity sensor.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a proximity sensorcomprising a reference compensation value of the proximity sensor. Acomparator compares a second compensation value to the referencecompensation value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a-1c illustrate a mobile device with RF transmission capability;

FIGS. 2a-2c illustrate SAR versus distance from a human body for amobile device with and without the use of a proximity sensor;

FIGS. 3a-3b illustrate a mobile device including a proximity sensor;

FIGS. 4a-4c illustrate electric fields between a proximity sensingelement, surrounding shielding areas, and a human finger;

FIGS. 5a-5b illustrate the internal components of a capacitive touchcontroller;

FIGS. 6a-6b illustrate capacitance detection with and withoutcalibration;

FIGS. 7a-7b illustrate the process of calibrating a capacitive touchcontroller to compensate for environmental capacitance;

FIGS. 8a-8c illustrate hardware registers used for calibration of acapacitive touch controller;

FIG. 9 illustrates the process of determining proximity of a user to amobile device;

FIGS. 10a-10b illustrate hardware registers used for determination ofproximity;

FIG. 11 illustrates the effect of temperature on detected capacitance;and

FIGS. 12a-12b illustrate the process of calculating the capacitance of asensing element while compensating for temperature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in one or more embodiments in thefollowing description with reference to the figures, in which likenumerals represent the same or similar elements. While the invention isdescribed in terms of the best mode for achieving the invention'sobjectives, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that itis intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as maybe included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims and their equivalents as supported by the followingdisclosure and drawings.

FIG. 3a illustrates mobile device 10 with a portion of touchscreen 12and housing 20 removed to reveal printed circuit board (PCB) 50 with CPU34, capacitive touch controller 56, sensing element 58, and shieldingarea 60 formed or disposed on the PCB. In other embodiments, a flexibleprinted circuit (FPC) is used instead of PCB 50. Capacitive touchcontroller 56 and sensing element 58 form a proximity sensor for mobiledevice 10. In some embodiments, proximity sensors are used which do notrequire a separate sensing element. Conductive trace 62 connects sensingelement 58 to capacitive touch controller 56, while conductive trace 64connects shielding area 60 to the capacitive touch controller.Conductive traces 66 provide communication between CPU 34 and capacitivetouch controller 56.

PCB 50 provides a base for mounting the electronic parts and forming theconductive traces necessary to provide the functionality of mobiledevice 10. PCB 50 includes other circuit elements and semiconductorpackages not illustrated as required to implement the functionality ofmobile device 10. PCB 50 includes all the electronic parts necessary formobile device 10. In other embodiments, the electronic parts for mobiledevice 10 are split across multiple PCBs. PCB 50 includes additionalparts such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, random access memory(RAM), flash memory, a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a system on achip (SoC).

Capacitive touch controller 56 is an IC designed to measure theself-capacitance, or inherent capacitance, of sensing element 58.Self-capacitance is a capacitance measured between a conductive element,e.g., sensing element 58, and a ground potential. When the conductiveobject to be detected, e.g., a lap, finger, palm, or face of user 30, isnot present near sensing element 58, the self-capacitance of the sensingelement, Csensor, is the environmental capacitance, Cenv. Cenv isdetermined by electric fields from sensing element 58 interacting withthe environment near the sensing element. In particular, electric fieldsfrom sensing element 58 interact with nearby conductive material such asshielding area 60, traces 62-66, power and ground planes, conductivevias, and ICs. When a body part of user 30 is present near sensingelement 58, the self-capacitance of the sensing element, Csensor, isCenv plus the capacitance attributable to the body part, Cuser.Capacitive touch controller 56 is calibrated with the value of Cenv, viaa process explained in detail below, and subtracts Cenv from the totalself-capacitance of sensing element 58. The remaining capacitance is theself-capacitance attributable to a body part of user 30 in proximity ofsensing element 58, i.e., Cuser. In practice, a configurable capacitorbank within capacitive touch controller 56 cancels or counteracts theCenv contribution to self-capacitance, leaving Cuser to be measured,although other methods of isolating Cuser from Csensor are used in otherembodiments.

If Cuser, i.e., the measured self-capacitance of sensing element 58attributable to user 30, is approximately equal to zero, capacitivetouch controller 56 reports to CPU 34 a lack, or absence, of proximityvia a memory mapped flag, as well as an interrupt. If Cuser is over athreshold associated with a human body part, capacitive touch controller56 reports proximity in a similar manner. In addition to a flagindicating proximity or lack thereof, capacitive touch controller 56reports to CPU 34 a digital value proportional to Cuser for each Cusermeasurement, whether proximity is detected or not. CPU 34 uses theproximity flag for simple applications where only proximity or lack ofproximity is needed, and uses the digital Cuser value to implementfunctionality that is more advanced.

Capacitive touch controller 56 senses self-capacitance of sensingelement 58 by first using a bank of capacitors to cancel Cenv, and thenconverting the remaining capacitance, Cuser, to a proportional voltagepotential. In some embodiments, the entire self-capacitance of sensingelement 58, Csensor, is converted to a proportional voltage and thenreduced by a voltage proportional to Cenv. The resulting voltage,proportional to Cuser, is converted to a digital value using an analogto digital converter. The digital Cuser value is processed to determinewhether Cuser exceeds a threshold for acknowledging proximity.

Sensing element 58 is a square of copper formed on a surface of PCB 50,although other shapes and other conductive materials are used for thesensing element in other embodiments. In one embodiment, the samephysical element is used for both antenna 32 and sensing element 58. Inembodiments with a single physical element used for antenna 32 andsensing element 58, a capacitor and inductor are used to filter RFsignals from reaching capacitive touch controller 56 and filter lowerfrequency signals from reaching RF amplifier 38 and RF transceiver 36.In other embodiments, any conductive element is used for sensing element58.

Sensing element 58 interacts with nearby conductive material, such asconductive traces, vias, and ground planes, as well as a lap, finger,palm, or face of user 30, via electric fields. When a charge is appliedto sensing element 58, an opposite charge is attracted toward thesensing element within any nearby conductive material. When the amountof conductive material near sensing element 58 is increased, a greateramount of electric charge is attracted to the sensing element for agiven voltage. Thus, the self-capacitance of sensing element 58 is afunction of the amount of conductive material near the sensing element.Conductive material having a conduction path to a circuit node at aground potential has a greater effect on self-capacitance because theground node provides a source of additional charge into the conductivematerial. Sensing element 58 attracts opposite charge into nearbyconductive material through the ground node.

Shielding area 60 provides an electromagnetic shield substantiallysurrounding sensing element 58. A shielding area formed on a surface ofPCB 50 opposite sensing element 58 and shielding area 60 blocks thesensing element from detecting conductive material on a back side ofmobile device 10.

Shielding area 60 is electrically connected to capacitive touchcontroller 56. Capacitive touch controller 56 drives shielding area 60with a similar voltage potential as sensing element 58 when measuringself-capacitance of the sensing element. In other embodiments, shieldingarea 60 is electrically connected to a ground potential. Connectingshielding area 60 to ground potential provides an increase to the Cenvcomponent of self-capacitance of sensing element 58. A higher Cenvrequires a larger capacitor bank within capacitive touch controller 56to counteract the higher Cenv. Driving shielding area 60 with a similarvoltage potential as sensing element 58 provides a lower Cenv, andreduces the required size of the capacitor bank within capacitive touchcontroller 56.

Conductive trace 62 connects sensing element 58 to capacitive touchcontroller 56. In some embodiments, multiple sensing elements are used,with each sensing element separately connected to capacitive touchcontroller 56 with a different conductive trace. In one embodiment,sensing elements are used to implement buttons 14, with the buttonsbeing activated when proximity of user 30 is sensed on a button.Capacitive touch controller 56 manipulates the voltage of sensingelement 58 and detects the self-capacitance of the sensing element viaconductive trace 62. Conductive trace 64 connects shielding area 60 tocapacitive touch controller 56. Capacitive touch controller 56 controlsthe voltage of shielding area 60 to be approximately equal to thevoltage of sensing element 58 via conductive trace 64.

Conductive traces 66 connect CPU 34 to capacitive touch controller 56.Traces 66 include lines for reset, interrupt, data, address, clock,enable, and other signals necessary for communication between CPU 34 andcapacitive touch controller 56. In one embodiment, CPU 34 communicateswith capacitive touch controller 56 using the inter-integrated circuit(I²C) protocol. Other communication protocols are used in otherembodiments.

Some functions of capacitive touch controller 56 are controlled by CPU34 using a single conductive trace 66 connected to a pin on thecapacitive touch controller, such as enabling or disabling sensing.Other functionality is exercised by CPU 34 reading from or writing tohardware registers within capacitive touch controller 56. A raw Cuservalue is read from a memory mapped hardware register internal tocapacitive touch controller 56. A register is also used by CPU 34 to setthe threshold value of Cuser when capacitive touch controller 56 reportsproximity. Some functionality is implemented with a discrete input oroutput pin on capacitive touch controller 56, as well as a hardwareregister within the capacitive touch controller. Capacitive touchcontroller 56 is reset by CPU 34 toggling a reset input pin of thecapacitive touch controller, or by the CPU writing to a soft resetregister within the capacitive touch controller.

In FIG. 3b , user 30 holds mobile device 10 up to his or her head. Theself-capacitance of sensing element 58 increases due to the interactionof electric fields between the sensing element and user 30. Prior tomobile device 10 being disposed in proximity to user 30, the area infront of the mobile device is occupied by air, which has a smallereffect on self-capacitance than the head of the user. Capacitive touchcontroller 56 detects the rise in self-capacitance of sensing element58, and notifies CPU 34 of the proximity of user 30. CPU 34 reduces thepower output of RF amplifier 38 accordingly so that mobile device 10remains in compliance with SAR regulations.

FIG. 4a is a partial cross-section of PCB 50 illustrating sensingelement 58 and shielding area 60 formed on a top surface of the PCB.Shielding area 70 is formed on a bottom surface of PCB 50 oppositesensing element 58 and shielding area 60. An optional overlay 72 isformed over sensing element 58 and shielding area 60 for physicalisolation and protection of the sensing element and shielding area.

PCB 50 is formed from one or more layers of polytetrafluoroethylenepre-impregnated (prepreg), FR-4, FR-1, CEM-1, or CEM-3 with acombination of phenolic cotton paper, epoxy, resin, woven glass, matteglass, polyester, and other reinforcement fibers or fabrics. Electroniccomponents necessary for the functionality of mobile device 10, such asconductive traces and ICs, are formed or disposed on surfaces of PCB 50.In one embodiment, a multilayer PCB 50 is used which includes electroniccomponents on layers between a top and bottom surface of the PCB.Components at different layers of PCB 50 are connected by conductivevias formed in the PCB.

Sensing element 58 and shielding area 60, as well as traces 62-66 areformed as a layer of metal on PCB 50. In one embodiment, sensing element58, shielding area 60, and traces 62-66 are formed from a single uniformlayer of metal using subtractive methods such as silk screen printing,photoengraving, or PCB milling. In other embodiments, an additive orsemi-additive method such as physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemicalvapor deposition (CVD), electrolytic plating, electroless plating, oranother suitable metal deposition process is used. Shielding area 70 isformed from a similar process as sensing element 58 and shielding area60.

Sensing element 58, shielding area 60, shielding area 70, and conductivetraces 62-66 include one or more layers of aluminum (Al), copper (Cu),tin (Sn), nickel (Ni), gold (Au), silver (Ag), indium tin oxide (ITO),printed conductive ink, or other suitable electrically conductivematerial. Traces 62-66 are formed on the same surface of PCB 50 assensing element 58. In other embodiments, traces 62-66 are formed on thesurface of PCB 50 opposite sensing element 58, or on an intermediatelayer when a multilayer PCB is used. Conductive vias are used to connecttraces 62-66 to CPU 34, capacitive touch controller 56, sensing element58, and shielding area 60 when the traces are not formed on the samesurface as sensing element 58. A conductive via connects shielding area60 to shielding area 70 so that capacitive touch controller 56 drivesboth shielding areas to a similar voltage potential.

Shielding areas 60 and 70 provide a noise blocking function, as well asdirectionality for sensing element 58. Shielding areas 60 and 70 providean electromagnetic shield substantially surrounding sensing element 58in each direction other than the direction which sensing is desired.Electric fields from sensing element 58 interact with shielding areas 60and 70, which have a stable effect on self-capacitance, instead of otherobjects opposite the shielding areas which have a dynamic capacitancewith respect to the sensing element. Shielding areas 60 and 70 alsoreduce electromagnetic noise which impacts the accuracy of the detectedcapacitance.

With shielding areas 60 and 70 surrounding sensing element 58 on thebottom and sides, as illustrated in FIGS. 4a-4c , a body part isdetected when disposed over sensing element 58 opposite shielding area70. Shielding area 70 limits the detection capability of capacitivetouch controller 56 when a finger or other body part of user 30 isdisposed on the back side of PCB 50, i.e., on the opposite side of thePCB from sensing element 58. In some embodiments with an omnidirectionalantenna 32, shielding area 70 is not used so that a body part of user 30is detected whether the body part is on a front or back side of mobiledevice 10. Without shielding area 70, proximity is detected, and CPU 34reduces RF power output of mobile device 10, when a body part of user 30is within proximity on the back side of mobile device 10, e.g., the usersets the mobile device in his or her lap. In other embodiments, neithershielding area 60 nor shielding area 70 is used.

Shielding areas 60 and 70 are electrically connected to capacitive touchcontroller 56. Capacitive touch controller 56 drives shielding areas 60and 70 to a similar voltage potential as sensing element 58 when sensingself-capacitance of the sensing element. In other embodiments, shieldingareas 60 and 70 are electrically connected to a ground potential.Connecting shielding areas 60 and 70 to ground potential provides anincrease to the Cenv component of self-capacitance of sensing element 58due to ground providing a source of charges attracted to the sensingelement. A higher Cenv requires a larger capacitor bank withincapacitive touch controller 56 to counteract the higher Cenv. Capacitivetouch controller 56 driving shielding areas 60 and 70 to a similarvoltage potential as sensing element 58 reduces self-capacitance ofsensing element 58 by reducing the amount of charge the sensing elementattracts in the shielding areas.

Overlay 72 provides physical isolation and protection for sensingelement 58. Overlay 72 increases the robustness of mobile device 10 byprotecting sensing element 58 from environmental hazards such as dust,dirt, rain, and wind. In one embodiment, overlay 72 is a sheet ofplastic or glass integrated into housing 20. Overlay 72 is translucent,transparent, or opaque. Overlay 72 is formed from a material with anelectric field permittivity sufficient to allow electric fields topropagate between sensing element 58 and a body part of user 30 disposedin proximity to the sensing element.

FIG. 4b illustrates electric fields between sensing element 58 andshielding areas 60 and 70 when no human body part is in the proximity ofthe sensing element. Electric fields 80 extend between sensing element58 and shielding area 60. Electric fields 82 extend between sensingelement 58 and shielding area 70. Electric fields 80 and 82 aresimplified illustrations of the electric fields interacting with sensingelement 58. In practice, the electric fields are complex and extend notonly to shielding areas 60 and 70, but also to any conductive material,such as conductive vias or conductive traces, near sensing element 58.The environmental self-capacitance, Cenv, of sensing element 58 is ameasure of electric fields 80 and 82 from the sensing elementinteracting with shielding areas 60 and 70 and other conductive materialin proximity to the sensing element when user 30 is not in proximity.

When a charge exists on sensing element 58, electric fields 80 and 82attract an opposite charge within shielding areas 60 and 70 toward thesensing element. A negative charge exists when there is an excess ofelectrons in the atoms of an object compared to the number of protons. Apositive charge exists when there is a deficit of electrons compared tothe number of protons. Negatively charged material attracts positivecharge, and positively charged material attracts negative charge. When afirst object has a positive charge, electrons in nearby conductiveobjects are attracted to the first object, creating an area of negativecharge in the nearby objects. When a first object has a negative charge,electrons in nearby conductive objects are repelled, creating an area ofpositive charge in the nearby objects. A negative charge and a positivecharge are opposites.

In FIG. 4c , finger 84 of user 30 is in the proximity of sensing element58. While a finger is illustrated, a lap, palm, face, or otherconductive object is also capable of being detected. Electric fields 86attract a charge to the tip of finger 84 that is opposite of a charge onsensing element 58. The charge attracted in finger 84 raises the totalamount of charge that must be supplied to sensing element 58 bycapacitive touch controller 56 to reach a given voltage potential of thesensing element. As charge per volt is a formula defining capacitance,additional conductive material with additional charge attracted tosensing element 58 raises the self-capacitance of the sensing element.In FIG. 4c , Cenv is represented by electric fields 80 and 82, Cuser isrepresented by electric fields 86, and Csensor is the sum of Cenv andCuser.

Capacitive touch controller 56 measures that the self-capacitance ofsensing element 58, and thus Cuser, has risen. A flag is set within ahardware register of capacitive touch controller 56, and the capacitivetouch controller asserts an interrupt signal to CPU 34. CPU 34 receivesthe interrupt and executes program code associated with a new proximityreading. In the case of mobile device 10, CPU 34 executes code whichreduces RF power output of RF amplifier 38 to prevent exceeding SARregulatory limit 42. In other embodiments, where capacitive sensing isused to implement buttons 14, CPU 34 executes program code associatedwith the pressing of a button when proximity is sensed.

FIG. 5a is a block diagram of internal components of capacitive touchcontroller 56. Offset compensation 100 includes a configurable bank ofcapacitors which are adjusted to approximately cancel the effect of Cenvso that capacitance due to the proximity of user 30, Cuser, is isolatedand accurately measured. A digital value from registers 106 configuresthe bank of capacitors in offset compensation 100 based on a priorreading of Cenv. The configurable capacitor bank in offset compensation100 is used to generate a voltage approximately proportional to apreviously detected Cenv. Offset compensation 100 also generates avoltage approximately proportional to Csensor, i.e., the totalself-capacitance of sensing element 58. Offset compensation 100subtracts the voltage proportional to Cenv from the voltage proportionalto Csensor to produce a voltage approximately proportional to Cuser. Thevoltage proportional to Cuser is output from offset compensation 100 toanalog-to-digital converter (ADC) 102. Cuser, Csensor, and Cenv are eachdifferent values of the capacitance of the proximity sensor formed fromcapacitive touch controller 56 and sensing element 58.

ADC 102 receives an analog signal from offset compensation 100 that isapproximately proportional to Cuser, i.e., the portion of theself-capacitance of sensing element 58 attributable to user 30. ADC 102converts the analog input from offset compensation 100 to a digitalvalue approximately proportional to Cuser, and outputs the digital valueto digital processing unit 104.

Digital processing unit 104 receives a digital value approximatelyproportional to Cuser from ADC 102 and writes the value to a hardwareregister in registers 106. CPU 34 is interrupted, if the interrupt isnot masked, to alert the CPU that a new proximity measurement hascompleted. The digital Cuser value written to a register in registers106 is available to CPU 34 by reading the register. A different digitalvalue, stored in a hardware register of registers 106 and configured byCPU 34, indicates a threshold Cuser must reach to report proximity. Ifthe digital Cuser value from ADC 102 exceeds the threshold value fromregisters 106, digital processing unit 104 causes a proximity status bitin registers 106 to become a logic ‘1’, and CPU 34 is interrupted forhandling of the proximity event.

Reference temperature sensor 110 is connected to digital processing unit104 for detecting a temperature of mobile device 10. Temperature sensor110 is a capacitive sensing element, similar to sensing element 58,which is configured to have reduced sensitivity to the proximity of user30. Capacitive touch controller 56 includes an offset compensation andADC to convert self-capacitance of temperature sensor 110 to a digitalvalue for use by digital processing unit 104. In other embodiments,offset compensation 100 and ADC 102 are used for sensingself-capacitance of sensing element 58 and temperature sensor 110. Thereadings of self-capacitance are time multiplexed by alternating betweena reading of sensing element 58 and temperature sensor 110.

Using a capacitive element as temperature sensor 110 improves thelinearity between a reading of temperature sensor 110 and theself-capacitance of sensing element 58. Using a capacitive element astemperature sensor 110 also enhances functionality by being sensitive tochanges of other environmental factors, in addition to temperature,which affect self-capacitance of sensing element 58. Capacitive touchcontroller 56 senses environmental changes via the self-capacitance oftemperature sensor 110, and calculates how the environmental changesaffect the self-capacitance of sensing element 58 via a linearrelationship between the temperature sensor and the sensing element.Digital processing unit 104 adjusts digital Cuser readings from ADC 102based on changes in environmental capacitance measured using temperaturesensor 110.

Temperature sensor 110 is any conductive element connected to capacitivetouch controller 56. In various embodiments, temperature sensor 110 is aflat copper area on PCB 50, a trace on the PCB, a pin on the package ofcapacitive touch controller 56, or a pad on the semiconductor die of thecapacitive touch controller. In other embodiments, temperature sensor110 is a sensor reading a temperature or other specific environmentalfactors of mobile device 10, e.g., a thermistor having a resistancewhich is a function of temperature of the mobile device.

Digital processing unit 104 adjusts the digital value of Cuser receivedfrom ADC 102 based on the reading from temperature sensor 110 and atemperature coefficient value from registers 106. The self-capacitanceof sensing element 58 varies with a reading of temperature sensor 110 inan approximately linear fashion. A manufacturer of mobile device 10determines the relationship between the self-capacitance of sensingelement 58 and the self-capacitance or other reading of temperaturesensor 110. The manufacturer stores a coefficient defining therelationship between the temperature readings and self-capacitance inregisters 106 prior to delivery of mobile device 10 to user 30.

Without adjusting for temperature and other environmental factors,capacitive touch controller 56 detects proximity of user 30 at adistance which is different than distance d, resulting in eithernon-compliance with SAR regulations or unnecessarily degradedconnectivity. Digital processing unit 104 accurately adjusts the digitalvalue of Cuser from ADC 102 to account for drift due to temperaturechanges. Adjusting for capacitance drift due to temperature changeprovides improved accuracy for the reading of self-capacitance.

FIG. 5b illustrates hardware registers 106 in detail. Registers 106include interrupt request (IRQ) register 118, proximity compensationoffset (PROXOFFSET) register 120, useful proximity reading (PROXUSEFUL)register 122, proximity detection threshold (PROXTHRESH) register 124,temperature coefficient (TEMPCOEF) register 126, and proximitycompensation offset at manufacture (PROXOFFSETO) register 128. Otherregisters are used in other embodiments.

IRQ register 118 includes IRQ source bits, IRQ mask bits, and statusbits. IRQ source bits indicate the source of a hardware interrupt, andmask bits allow CPU 34 to “mask out” specific interrupt sources so thata hardware interrupt is not triggered for a specific interrupt source. Asource bit is set by capacitive touch controller 56 when an event occurswhich CPU 34 could potentially be programmed to handle. The source bitis cleared when read by CPU 34. Mask bits are set or cleared by CPU 34to control whether an associated source bit will actually interrupt CPU34 via a hardware interrupt signal.

Status bits indicate the status of elements in capacitive touchcontroller 56 without causing an interrupt of CPU 34, and are notcleared with the IRQ source bits. In some embodiments, IRQ source bitsare mapped to a first memory address of capacitive touch controller 56,IRQ mask bits are mapped to a second memory address, and the status bitsare mapped to a third memory address. The IRQ source bits of IRQregister 118 are set by the internal circuitry of capacitive touchcontroller 56 to trigger an interrupt of CPU 34. Capacitive touchcontroller 56 triggers an interrupt of CPU 34 by asserting an interruptsignal on an IRQ line of traces 66. When CPU 34 is interrupted bycapacitive touch controller 56, the CPU reads the IRQ source bits of IRQregister 118 to determine the source of the interrupt. CPU 34 executesdifferent programming depending on which interrupt occurs.

IRQ register 118 includes separate IRQ source bits for when proximity isnewly detected, when proximity is no longer detected, when calculationof Cenv for calibration has completed, and when Cuser has been measured.When an event causes an interrupt, the source bit associated with theevent which occurred becomes a logic ‘1’. All IRQ source bits arecleared when CPU 34 reads the IRQ source bits of IRQ register 118. SomeIRQ source bits of IRQ register 118 are written to by CPU 34 and controlfunctionality of capacitive touch controller 56. CPU 34 triggers a newCenv calibration calculation by writing a logic ‘1’ to the calibrationcomplete IRQ source bit. CPU 34 is interrupted when the Cenv calibrationcalculation is completed, and the source bit for Cenv compensation isread as a logic ‘1’ by the CPU.

IRQ register 118 includes a mask bit for each IRQ source bit. The maskbits of IRQ register 118 determine whether an associated source bit willactually cause the interrupt signal to CPU 34 to be asserted. If a maskbit for an IRQ source is set to a logic ‘1’, the source bit for theinterrupt source will be set to a logic ‘1’ as normal, but the hardwareinterrupt signal to CPU 34 will not be asserted by capacitive touchcontroller 56. If CPU 34 is programmed to use the raw Cuser value storedin PROXUSEFUL register 122, the CPU does not mask the interrupt sourcefor a new reading of Cuser. However, if CPU 34 is programmed to use theproximity status determined by capacitive touch controller 56, and notthe raw Cuser value stored in PROXUSEFUL register 122, the CPU masks outthe interrupt for a new proximity reading and unmasks the interrupts forproximity status changes. In one embodiment, CPU 34 masks each interruptsource of IRQ register 118 and polls the IRQ register to determine if anaction needs to be taken.

PROXOFFSET register 120 contains the most recent compensation valuedetermined for the capacitor bank in offset compensation 100. Acompensation value stored in PROXOFFSET register 120 is determined usinga dichotomy algorithm with the capacitor bank in offset compensation100. A first value for PROXOFFSET register 120 is used, and a raw Cuservalue is captured in digital processing unit 104. If Cuser is non-zero,PROXOFFSET register 120 is modified in the direction necessary to moveCuser toward zero. The algorithm continues to modify PROXOFFSET register120 until Cuser is as close to zero as possible given the granularity ofPROXOFFSET register 120 and the capacitor bank in offset compensation100. If PROXOFFSET register 120 causes Cuser to equal zero when no partof user 30 is in proximity to sensing element 58, the capacitor bank inoffset compensation 100 cancels Cenv so that an accurate reading ofCuser is possible when the user is in proximity. The process ofdetermining a compensation value for PROXOFFSET register 120 calibratescapacitive touch controller 56. When capacitive touch controller 56recalculates the compensation value necessary to counteract Cenv, CPU 34is interrupted unless the CPU masks out the interrupt.

PROXUSEFUL register 122 contains the most recent reading of Cuser.PROXUSEFUL register 122 contains a value of the capacitance of theproximity sensor formed by capacitive touch controller 56 and sensingelement 58. Digital processing unit 104 populates PROXUSEFUL register122 each time the self-capacitance of sensing element 58 is converted toa new digital Cuser value. In one embodiment, digital processing unit104 puts the raw Cuser value from ADC 102 in PROXUSEFUL register 122. Inother embodiments, digital processing unit 104 adjusts the Cuser valuebefore populating PROXUSEFUL register 122, e.g., by adjusting Cuser fordrift of Cenv, or by filtering high frequency noise. When digitalprocessing unit 104 puts a new Cuser value in PROXUSEFUL register 122,CPU 34 is interrupted unless the CPU masks out the interrupt. CPU 34reads PROXUSEFUL register 122 to determine the most recent reading ofthe Cuser component of the self-capacitance of sensing element 58.

PROXTHRESH register 124 is used by CPU 34 to set the threshold value ofCuser in PROXUSEFUL register 122 when capacitive touch controller 56reports proximity of user 30. A lower value of PROXTHRESH register 124allows for higher sensitivity to proximity of user 30 and detection at agreater distance, while a higher value for the PROXTHRESH registerprovides better noise immunity. When digital processing unit 104 puts anew Cuser value in PROXUSEFUL register 122, capacitive touch controller56 compares the PROXUSEFUL register value to the value in PROXTHRESHregister 124. If PROXUSEFUL register 122 is greater than PROXTHRESHregister 124, proximity is detected. If the previous PROXUSEFUL register122 value was less than PROXTHRESH register 124, CPU 34 is interruptedby capacitive touch controller 56 to report a new proximity detectionevent, unless the CPU has masked the interrupt. If PROXUSEFUL register122 is less than PROXTHRESH register 124, an absence of proximity isdetected. If the previous PROXUSEFUL register 122 value was greater thanPROXTHRESH register 124, CPU 34 is interrupted by capacitive touchcontroller 56, unless masked, to report that the previously detectedbody part of user 30 in proximity has been removed. A status bit in IRQregister 118 reports whether proximity was detected on the most recentself-capacitance reading without regard to any interrupt masking orclearing performed by CPU 34.

TEMPCOEF register 126 is a parameter, calculated specifically for mobiledevice 10, which indicates the degree to which the capacitance readingof capacitive touch controller 56 is affected by the temperature of themobile device and other environmental factors. Each component of mobiledevice 10 which effects the self-capacitance of sensing element 58includes an approximately linear relationship between the component'seffect on capacitance and the temperature of the component. Componentswhich effect self-capacitance of sensing element 58 include resistors,inductors, and traces on PCB 50, shielding areas 60 and 70, and ICsincluding CPU 34 and capacitive touch controller 56.

When mobile device 10 is manufactured, a manufacturer of the mobiledevice determines the cumulative effect of all components in the mobiledevice on the self-capacitance of sensing element 58 as temperaturefluctuates. The manufacturer uses capacitive touch controller 56 todetermine self-capacitance of sensing element 58 with mobile device 10at two or more different temperatures and without user 30 in proximityof the mobile device. A linear relationship between a reading oftemperature sensor 110 and self-capacitance of sensing element 58 isdetermined, and a coefficient defining the relationship is stored by themanufacturer in TEMPCOEF register 126. In one embodiment, TEMPCOEFregister 126 is implemented as a one-time programmable read-only memoryso that the value of the TEMPCOEF register is not subsequently changedby CPU 34 or capacitive touch controller 56. During subsequent readingsof Cuser, digital processing unit 104 uses the value in TEMPCOEFregister 126 to adjust Cuser for drift due to temperature change priorto storing Cuser in PROXUSEFUL register 122.

PROXOFFSETO register 128 contains a reference compensation valuedetermined by a manufacturer of mobile device 10 when the mobile deviceis manufactured. A manufacturer of mobile device 10 performs aself-capacitance calibration with the mobile device in a known statewith no user 30 in proximity to sensing element 58. The reading of Cenvwith no user 30 in proximity is stored as a known valid compensationvalue in PROXOFFSETO register 128, which is implemented as a one-timeprogrammable read-only memory in one embodiment. PROXOFFSETO register128 is used during subsequent calibration of capacitive touch controller56 as a reference compensation value to determine whether a compensationvalue stored in PROXOFFSET register 120 is valid, or if a portion ofuser 30 in proximity to sensing element 58 disrupted calibration.

After a later calibration, capacitive touch controller 56 places thedetected Cenv compensation value in PROXOFFSET register 120. PROXOFFSETregister 120 has a known range of valid compensation values determinedbased on the value of PROXOFFSETO register 128 and the normalfluctuations of Cenv due to temperature, humidity, and otherenvironmental factors. When calibration occurs, and PROXOFFSET register120 contains a compensation value outside of the normal operating rangefor the PROXOFFSET register relative to the value in PROXOFFSETOregister 128, capacitive touch controller 56 determines that proximityof user 30 affected the self-capacitance reading. The value inPROXOFFSET register 120 is discarded and calibration is automaticallyperformed again after a predetermined period of time. In someembodiments, a second calibration is not automatically performed, butinstead CPU 34 is interrupted for determination of how to proceed.

In some embodiments, the manufacturer calculates PROXOFFSET with no userin proximity to sensing element 58, and again with a body part, oranother conductive object approximating the capacitive effect of a bodypart, in proximity to the sensing element. PROXOFFSETO register 128 isset to a value between the two PROXOFFSET readings as a referencethreshold for proximity. Capacitive touch controller 56 subsequentlyuses PROXOFFSETO register 128 as a threshold for determining proximitywhen PROXOFFSET register 120 is not initialized, e.g., after a reset andprior to calibration. If the total self-capacitance of sensing element58, Csensor, is above the level set by PROXOFFSETO register 128,capacitive touch controller 56 reports proximity to CPU 34. Detectingproximity with PROXOFFSETO register 128 when PROXOFFSET register 120 isnot initialized allows proximity detection to occur soon aftercapacitive touch controller 56 boots, reducing the likelihood of a highpower RF mode being enabled with user 30 in proximity.

In one embodiment, PROXOFFSETO register 128 is used to determineproximity after PROXOFFSET register 120 is initialized. Capacitive touchcontroller 56 reports proximity to CPU 34 if a determination ofproximity is made based on PROXOFFSET register 120 or PROXOFFSETOregister 128.

FIG. 6a illustrates the self-capacitance of sensing element 58 withoutcompensation to eliminate the effect of environmental capacitance, Cenv.The graph of FIG. 6a includes time on the horizontal axis, and theself-capacitance of sensing element 58, Csensor, on the vertical axis.FIG. 6a shows a proximity event occurring over time, with a newproximity reading at point 130. The proximity event ends at point 132.Without compensating for self-capacitance of sensing element 58 toeliminate the effect of environmental capacitance, the contribution ofCuser is a small percentage of the total self-capacitance beingdetected, and is challenging to differentiate. In one embodiment, theenvironmental capacitance, Cenv, of sensing element 58 is approximately10 picofarads (pF) while the capacitance change to be detected forproximity, Cuser, is approximately 0.01 pF.

In addition, calibrating offset compensation 100 to disregardenvironmental self-capacitance of sensing element 58 allows ADC 102 togive a higher resolution reading in the range of capacitance betweenCenv and Cenv+Cuser. Capacitance level 134 indicates self-capacitance atthe maximum digital output of ADC 102, which is lower than theenvironmental capacitance. With ADC 102 configured to output valueswhich extend beyond Cenv+Cuser to sense capacitance withoutcompensation, the ADC includes a lower resolution digital output in theactive range of capacitance above Cenv.

FIG. 6b is a similar plot as shown in FIG. 6a , with the horizontal axisreflecting time. The vertical axis of FIG. 6b shows Csensor with Cenvcancelled out by the capacitor bank in offset compensation 100, asconfigured by PROXOFFSET register 120. When user 30 is not in proximity,i.e., outside of the area between points 130 and 132, the capacitancereading output from ADC 102 to digital processing unit 104 floats near0. When user 30 moves a body part within proximity of sensing element 58at point 130, the capacitance reading output by ADC 102 reflects thevalue of self-capacitance attributable to the user and does not includethe capacitance attributable to environmental factors. ADC 102 isconfigured so that Cuser is a significant portion of the total range ofthe digital output of the ADC. ADC 102 gives a high resolution readingof the active range of capacitance between zero and Cuser. Betweenpoints 130 and 132, Cuser, and thus PROXUSEFUL register 122, is abovethe value in PROXTHRESH register 124. Capacitive touch controller 56reports to CPU 34 that user 30 is in proximity.

FIG. 7a illustrates the process of a manufacturer of mobile device 10determining the environmental self-capacitance of sensing element 58 andsaving the value in PROXOFFSETO register 128 during manufacturing of themobile device. During step 150, a manufacturer of mobile device 10calculates Cenv, i.e., the contribution of the parts of the mobiledevice to the self-capacitance of sensing element 58. The manufacturerensures that during calculation of Cenv, the area adjacent to sensingelement 58 is substantially free from any human body or other conductivematerial external to mobile device 10 having an effect on capacitance.By limiting the external capacitive influence, the initial calculationof Cenv during manufacture is known to be an accurate reading of theself-capacitance on sensing-element 58 due to the conductive componentsof mobile device 10.

Step 150 involves the manufacturer of mobile device 10 running thenormal calibration process of capacitive touch controller 56 to populatea value in PROXOFFSET register 120. A dichotomy algorithm determines thevalue of PROXOFFSET register 120 which configures the capacitor bank inoffset compensation 100 to give an ADC 102 output as close to 0 aspossible. In one embodiment, calibration results in a digital valueproportional to Cenv stored in PROXOFFSET register 120. In otherembodiments, each bit of PROXOFFSET register 120 controls a differentswitched capacitor making up the capacitor bank in offset compensation100.

Each individual mobile device 10 is booted up in isolation fromcapacitive influence other than Cenv after the mobile device ismanufactured. CPU 34 recognizes that PROXOFFSETO register 128 is notinitialized at boot time, and runs a routine to detect Cenv and populatePROXOFFSET register 120. In other embodiments, a manufacturer detectsCenv only once for a given product line, and uses the same Cenv value toset PROXOFFSETO register 128 for each mobile device 10 manufactured tothe same specification.

In step 152, the value of PROXOFFSET register 120, which is known by amanufacturer of mobile device 10 to include Cenv without a significantexternal contribution, is stored in PROXOFFSETO register 128. Inembodiments where each individual mobile device 10 is booted tocalculate Cenv after manufacturing, the programming of CPU 34 realizesPROXOFFSETO register 128 is not initialized, causes a calculation ofPROXOFFSET, and then causes the most recent value in PROXOFFSET register120 to be stored in the PROXOFFSETO register. In embodiments where amanufacturer calculates a single Cenv value to be programmed intoPROXOFFSETO register 128 of each mobile device 10, the PROXOFFSETOregister is programmed in a manufacturing step prior to completion ofmobile device 10. Capacitive touch controller 56 is fabricated withPROXOFFSETO register 128 hard-coded to the desired value. In otherembodiments, PROXOFFSETO register 128 is programmed after fabrication ofcapacitive touch controller 56 but prior to being disposed on PCB 50using temporary electrical connections to the capacitive touchcontroller IC.

In some embodiments, a second determination of PROXOFFSET register 120is performed with a body part, or a conductive object approximating theeffect of a body part on self-capacitance, within proximity of sensingelement 58. A value between the values of PROXOFFSET register 120 withand without a body part in proximity is stored in PROXOFFSETO register128. The value stored in PROXOFFSETO register 128 is greater thannecessary to merely cancel Cenv, and is used as a threshold fordetermining proximity prior to PROXOFFSET register 120 being initializedvia the process shown in FIG. 7 b.

PROXOFFSETO register 128 is implemented as a read-only memory usingfuses in capacitive touch controller 56 to allow only one write to thePROXOFFSETO register. In other embodiments, an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM) or flash memory is used to implementPROXOFFSETO register 128 so that the value in the PROXOFFSETO registeris changed by an update from the manufacturer when necessary. In yetother embodiments, PROXOFFSETO register 128 is implemented as volatilememory, and CPU 34 is programmed to restore a known good value for thePROXOFFSETO register each time mobile device 10 is booted.

FIG. 7b illustrates a method of calibrating capacitive touch controller56 by detecting Cenv, and comparing Cenv to the value previously storedin PROXOFFSETO register 128. Calibration is triggered automatically by areset of capacitive touch controller 56, e.g., when mobile device 10 isbooted. Calibration is also triggered at any time by a request from CPU34. CPU 34 also configures capacitive touch controller 56 toautomatically recalibrate periodically.

Prior to determination of a value for PROXOFFSET register 120 via thecalibration shown in FIG. 7b , proximity is detected based onPROXOFFSETO register 128. PROXOFFSETO register 128 contains a valuegreater than needed to merely cancel environmental capacitance.Proximity is reported by capacitive touch controller 56 when Csensor isgreater than PROXOFFSETO register 128, and proximity is not reportedwhen capacitive touch controller 56 is less than the PROXOFFSETOregister. In other embodiments, capacitive touch controller 56 containsa reference Cuser value in registers 106 in addition to the referencePROXOFFSET value in PROXOFFSETO register 128. Proximity is reported toCPU 34 when Csensor is within a predetermined range of PROXOFFSETOregister 128 with the reference Cuser value added.

At step 160, capacitive touch controller 56 calculates the value ofPROXOFFSET register 120 required to cancel the environmentalself-capacitance of sensing element 58, i.e., Cenv. The value inPROXOFFSET register 120 is more accurate than the value in PROXOFFSETOregister 128 due to being calculated contemporaneously with proximitydetection. The value in PROXOFFSET register 120 is calculated underenvironmental conditions, e.g., temperature and humidity, in whichmobile device 10 is likely to be used. PROXOFFSETO is a valid PROXOFFSETvalue provided for reference, but does not include consideration of theactual environmental variables of each use of mobile device 10.

On the other hand, PROXOFFSETO register 128 does contain a known goodCenv reading, calculated with a controlled value of Cuser. The proximityof user 30 during calculation of the value for PROXOFFSET register 120is a variable which is not predictable by a manufacturer of mobiledevice 10. In some usage scenarios, user 30 boots mobile device 10 whilea body part of the user is in proximity, or a calibration of capacitivetouch controller 56 is triggered for another reason while user 30 is inproximity. Without comparison to PROXOFFSETO register 128, calibratingcapacitive touch controller 56 while user 30 is in proximity causesoffset compensation 100 to eliminate not only environmental capacitance,but also a portion of the self-capacitance of sensing element 58attributable to the user. When offset compensation 100 eliminates aportion of Cuser along with Cenv, proximity is more difficult to detect.

In some embodiments, where digital processing unit 104 will adjustreadings of Cuser prior to storage in PROXUSEFUL register 122, thedigital processing unit stores a temperature reading from temperaturesensor 110 in a memory or register of capacitive touch controller 56 asa part of calibration. During subsequent detection of Cuser, the storedtemperature is used to determine the magnitude by which the temperaturehas changed since calibration.

PROXOFFSET register 120 is compared to PROXOFFSETO register 128 in step162 to determine whether user 30 was in proximity of sensing element 58during calculation of the value for the PROXOFFSET register. PROXOFFSETOregister 128 defines a range of potential PROXOFFSET register 120values, because mobile device 10 is likely to be used within adeterminable range of environmental factors. For example, a manufacturerof mobile device 10 may certify the mobile device for use in atemperature range of between 35 degrees Fahrenheit (° F.) and 125° F. Amanufacturer of mobile device 10 calculates the amount self-capacitanceof sensing element 58 drifts between 35° F. and 125° F. A range of validPROXOFFSET register 120 values relative to a value of PROXOFFSETOregister 128 is calculable by considering ranges of environmentalvariables mobile device 10 will be exposed to. Capacitive touchcontroller 56 determines that if a newly calculated PROXOFFSET register120 value is outside of the normal range relative to PROXOFFSETOregister 128, the most recent Cenv calculation includes additionalcapacitance due to the proximity of user 30.

If a comparison of PROXOFFSET register 120 to PROXOFFSETO register 128reveals that calibration was performed with user 30 in proximity tosensing element 58, the value of the PROXOFFSET register is discardedand the process returns to step 160. Capacitive touch controller 56continues to calculate proximity using PROXOFFSETO register 128 until agood value is stored in PROXOFFSET register 120. Capacitive touchcontroller 56 calculates a new value for PROXOFFSET register 120immediately, interrupts CPU 34 and waits for instruction from the CPU,or does nothing and waits until recalibration occurs in due course.

If PROXOFFSET register 120 is within an allowable range relative toPROXOFFSETO register 128, the process advances to step 164 to detectproximity using the PROXOFFSET register to define the magnitude of Cenvcancelled by offset compensation 100. The value in PROXOFFSET register120 is used for proximity detection until recalibration of capacitivetouch controller 56 is triggered, which returns the process in FIG. 7bto step 160.

In some embodiments, PROXOFFSETO register 128 is used for proximitydetection in addition to PROXOFFSET register 120 during step 164.Proximity is determined relative to both PROXOFFSETO register 128 andPROXOFFSET register 120, and proximity is reported to CPU 34 if eithercalculation results in a finding of proximity of user 30.

FIGS. 8a-8c illustrate PROXOFFSET register 120 and PROXOFFSETO register128 during stages of the processes illustrated in FIGS. 7a-7b . FIG. 8aillustrates the registers during step 152 of FIG. 7a . A calibrationprocess occurred during step 150 which determined that a PROXOFFSETregister 120 value of 1001 1100 0100 0000 in binary (9C40 inhexadecimal) properly configured the capacitor bank in offsetcompensation 100 to counteract Cenv as accurately as possible. A valueof PROXOFFSET register 120 is determined using a dichotomy algorithm,also known as a bisection or binary search algorithm. In one embodiment,each bit of PROXOFFSET register 120 determines the state of a switchedcapacitor in offset compensation 100. Capacitive touch controller 56copies the value determined for PROXOFFSET register 120, hexadecimal(hex) value 9C40, into PROXOFFSETO register 128 for determining thevalidity of subsequent calculations of the PROXOFFSET register.

In other embodiments, PROXOFFSET is calculated with no user inproximity, and a second time with a user in proximity, and PROXOFFSETOregister 128 is set to a value between the two measurements. Theincreased PROXOFFSETO register 128 acts as a threshold to detectproximity when PROXOFFSET register 120 does not contain a validcompensation value.

FIG. 8b illustrates PROXOFFSET register 120 and PROXOFFSETO register 128during step 162 of FIG. 7 b.

PROXOFFSETO register 128 retains the hex value 9C40 due to beingread-only. Capacitive touch controller 56 has recalibrated offsetcompensation 100 and determined a binary value of 1001 1111 1011 0011(9FB3 in hex) for PROXOFFSET register 120. A hex value of 9FB3 indicatesthat the self-capacitance of sensing element 58 is off by approximately2.2% compared to the reference Cenv calibration stored in PROXOFFSETOregister 128. Capacitive touch controller 56 determines that a hex valueof 9FB3 is outside of the range which PROXOFFSET register 120 wouldreach due to normal variations of environmental factors. Capacitivetouch controller 56 discards the contents of PROXOFFSET register 120 andreturns to step 160. Unless the interrupt is masked, CPU 34 isinterrupted to notify the CPU that a calibration process failed togenerate a valid value for PROXOFFSET register 120. In otherembodiments, where PROXOFFSETO register 128 includes an increased valuefor use as an alternative proximity threshold, digital processing unit104 adjusts for the known discrepancy to determine validity of the valuein PROXOFFSET register 120.

FIG. 8c illustrates PROXOFFSET register 120 and PROXOFFSETO register 128during step 162 of FIG. 7b . PROXOFFSETO register 128 retains the hexvalue 9C40. Capacitive touch controller 56 has recalibrated offsetcompensation 100 and determined a binary value of 1001 1100 0101 1000(9C58 in hex) for PROXOFFSET register 120. A hex value of 9C58 indicatesthat the self-capacitance of sensing element 58 has drifted by 0.06%compared to Cenv during calculation of the value of PROXOFFSETO register128. Capacitive touch controller 56 determines that a hex value of 9C58is within the range which PROXOFFSET register 120 reaches due to normalvariations of environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.Capacitive touch controller 56 advances to step 164 of FIG. 7b , inwhich the hex value 9C58 in PROXOFFSET register 120 configures thecapacitor bank in offset compensation 100 to cancel Cenv. Unless theinterrupt is masked, CPU 34 is interrupted to notify the CPU that acalibration process completed successfully.

A manufacturer of mobile device 10 determines a valid PROXOFFSET valueduring development, or in the production chain, of the mobile device,which is stored in PROXOFFSETO register 128 of capacitive touchcontroller 56. When subsequently performing calibration of offsetcompensation 100, a newly calculated PROXOFFSET value is checked againstthe manufacturer's PROXOFFSET value in PROXOFFSETO register 128 todetermine whether the new value includes additional capacitance due touser 30 being in proximity of sensing element 58. If user 30 is inproximity of sensing element 58 and calibration is performed, thecontribution of Cuser will be absorbed as part of the environmentalcapacitance, Cenv, and proximity will not be reported even if the useris physically present. Comparing the new PROXOFFSET value against thereference PROXOFFSET value calculated by the manufacturer allowsspurious PROXOFFSET readings to be discarded instead of used to produceincorrect proximity readings. PROXOFFSET is recalculated until a validvalue of PROXOFFSET register 120 is determined. PROXOFFSETO register 128is used to determine proximity until a valid compensation value isstored in PROXOFFSET register 120.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method of detecting proximity of user 30 to sensingelement 58. In step 176, capacitive touch controller 56 determinesCuser. Offset compensation 100 converts the self-capacitance of sensingelement 58 to a proportional voltage potential and cancels a portionapproximately equivalent to the environmental capacitance, Cenv, using abank of capacitors configured by PROXOFFSET register 120. ADC 102converts the voltage from offset compensation 100 to a digital valuewhich is transmitted to digital processing unit 104. Digital processingunit 104 stores the digital value of Cuser in PROXUSEFUL register 122after performing any desired digital processing of the value.

In step 178, PROXUSEFUL register 122 is compared to PROXTHRESH register124. If the value of PROXUSEFUL register 122 is greater than the valueof PROXTHRESH register 124, capacitive touch controller 56 concludesthat user 30 is in proximity of sensing element 58. If the value ofPROXUSEFUL register 122 is less than the value of PROXTHRESH register124, capacitive touch controller 56 concludes that user 30 is not inproximity of sensing element 58. A status bit in IRQ register 118 is setif proximity is detected, and cleared if proximity is not detected,whether an interrupt of CPU 34 is to be triggered or not.

In step 180, digital processing unit 104 sets an interrupt bit in IRQregister 118 if appropriate. In the case of detecting a new proximityevent, as illustrated in FIG. 9, PROXUSEFUL register 122 is initiallyless than PROXTHRESH register 124, and CPU 34 is interrupted to indicatea new proximity event once the PROXUSEFUL register becomes greater thanthe PROXTHRESH register. In the case where PROXUSEFUL register 122 isinitially greater than PROXTHRESH register 124, a new value of thePROXUSEFUL register which is higher than the PROXTHRESH register doesnot result in an interrupt of CPU 34. When PROXUSEFUL register 122 isalready greater than PROXTHRESH register 124, CPU 34 is interrupted whenthe value of PROXUSEFUL register falls below the value of the PROXTHRESHregister to notify the CPU that user 30 is no longer in proximity ofsensing element 58. In some embodiments, proximity is calculatedindependently based on PROXOFFSETO register 128, in addition to thecalculation based on PROXOFFSET register 120. Proximity is reported toCPU 34 if proximity is detected relative to PROXOFFSETO register 128 orPROXOFFSET register 120.

FIG. 10a illustrates PROXUSEFUL register 122 and PROXTHRESH register 124during step 178 of FIG. 9 when no proximity of user 30 to sensingelement 58 is detected. A digital Cuser value of 0000 0000 0001 0011 inbinary (0013 in hex) is transmitted from ADC 102 to digital processingunit 104 and stored in PROXUSEFUL register 122. CPU 34 has previouslywritten the value of 0000 0100 0100 1100 (044C in hex) into PROXTHRESHregister 124. The value of PROXUSEFUL register 122 is less than thevalue of PROXTHRESH register 124, but non-zero, indicating drift of Cenvor that something with a smaller impact on capacitance than a body partof user 30 is in proximity of sensing element 58. PROXUSEFUL register122 is less than PROXTHRESH register 124, and capacitive touchcontroller 56 concludes user 30 is not in proximity to sensing element58. In step 180, CPU 34 is interrupted if the previous value ofPROXUSEFUL register 122 was greater than PROXTHRESH register 124, andthe interrupt is not masked, to indicate that a previous proximity eventhas ended.

FIG. 10b illustrates PROXUSEFUL register 122 and PROXTHRESH register 124during step 178 of FIG. 9 when user 30 is in proximity of sensingelement 58. A digital Cuser value of 0000 0100 1100 0000 in binary (04C0in hex) is transmitted from ADC 102 to digital processing unit 104 andstored in PROXUSEFUL register 122. CPU 34 has previously written thevalue of 0000 0100 0100 1100 (044C in hex) into PROXTHRESH register 124.PROXUSEFUL register 122 contains a value greater than the value ofPROXTHRESH register 124, indicating that user 30 is in proximity ofsensing element 58. In step 180, CPU 34 is interrupted if the previousvalue of PROXUSEFUL register 122 was less than PROXTHRESH register 124,and the interrupt is not masked, to indicate a new proximity event hasbegun.

FIG. 11 illustrates the cumulative effects of temperature on variouselements exhibiting capacitance with sensing element 58. Each componentwhich exhibits a capacitive effect with sensing element 58 has atemperature susceptibility component. The temperature susceptibilitycomponent of each element contributing to the self-capacitance ofsensing element 58 is summed to calculate the total effect of atemperature change on the self-capacitance of sensing element 58.

Line 190 illustrates the effect of temperature on the capacitancebetween sensing element 58 and the integrated circuit of capacitivetouch controller 56. Line 192 illustrates the effect of temperature oncapacitance illustrated by line 190 with the addition of the effect of aresistor located on PCB 50 near sensing element 58. Line 194 illustratesthe effect of temperature on capacitance illustrated by line 192 withthe addition of the effect of a trace and an inductor near sensingelement 58. Line 196 illustrates the total cumulative effect oftemperature change on self-capacitance of sensing element 58, includingthe effect on capacitance due to antenna 32 and a connector on PCB 50for connecting an external antenna, in addition to the effectsillustrated by line 194.

FIG. 11 shows that the effect of a temperature change on theself-capacitance of sensing element 58 is cumulative. The change incapacitance over a temperature range due to each individual componentadds up. After a temperature change of mobile device 10, capacitivetouch controller 56 generates incorrect proximity reporting. Significanttemperature changes result in incorrect proximity readings, or preventproximity from being detected.

FIGS. 12a-12b illustrate a method of modifying PROXUSEFUL register 122to compensate for temperature changes using temperature sensor 110 andthe value of TEMPCOEF register 126. FIG. 12a illustrates steps performedby a manufacturer of mobile device 10 to generate and store acoefficient defining the relationship between self-capacitance ofsensing element 58 and the temperature of mobile device 10 in TEMPCOEFregister 126.

First, in step 200, a manufacturer calculates the self-capacitance ofsensing element 58 at a first temperature. The manufacturer runscapacitive sensing with capacitive touch controller 56 as normal, anduses CPU 34 to read a value of Cuser from PROXUSEFUL register 122.

Next, in step 202, the manufacturer calculates the self-capacitance ofsensing element 58 at a second temperature. The manufacturer calculatesself-capacitance at the second temperature without significantlychanging other variables which effect capacitance, so that the effect oftemperature on capacitance is accurately reflected. The manufacturercaptures several values of Cuser at each temperature to improveaccuracy.

With a value of the self-capacitance of sensing element 58 calculatedfor at least two different temperatures, the manufacturer calculates acoefficient defining a linear relationship between a reading oftemperature sensor 110 and the self-capacitance of sensing element 58 instep 204. For example, the manufacturer makes the first capacitancereading at 50° F. and capacitive touch controller 56 reports acapacitance of 0 pF due to calibration of the capacitive touchcontroller occurring under similar conditions. Without changing othervariables affecting capacitance, the manufacturer raises the temperatureof mobile device 10 to 100° F., and capacitive touch controller 56reports a capacitance of 0.05 pF. In the above example, a temperaturechange of 50° F. results in a change in the self-capacitance of sensingelement 58 of 0.05 pF, or 0.001 pF/° F. In one embodiment, a coefficientdefining a linear relationship between the self-capacitance oftemperature sensor 110 and the self-capacitance of sensing element 58,as temperature varies, is used as the value of TEMPCOEF register 126.

In step 206, the manufacturer stores the discovered coefficient inTEMPCOEF register 126. In the above example, the manufacturer stores avalue in TEMPCOEF register 126 indicating a capacitance change of 0.001pF per 1° F. of temperature change. In one embodiment, TEMPCOEF register126 is implemented as a one-time programmable ROM register using fusesto prevent overwriting of the register. In a second embodiment, TEMPCOEFregister 126 is implemented as flash memory in capacitive touchcontroller 56 which allows an update from the manufacturer to modifyTEMPCOEF register 126. In other embodiments, TEMPCOEF register 126 isimplemented as volatile memory, and CPU 34 writes the coefficientdetermined in step 204 to the TEMPCOEF register each time capacitivetouch controller 56 boots.

FIG. 12b illustrates a process of digital processing unit 104 adjustinga self-capacitance reading to compensate for temperature change usingTEMPCOEF register 126 and temperature sensor 110. In step 210, Cuser iscalculated by offset compensation 100 cancelling environmentalcapacitance and converting the remaining capacitance to a voltage level.ADC 102 converts the voltage level to a digital value. Digitalprocessing unit 104 stores the value in PROXUSEFUL register 122. In someembodiments, Cuser is not stored in PROXUSEFUL register 122 beforeadjusting for temperature, but only after being adjusted fortemperature.

In step 212, digital processing unit 104 adjusts the value of PROXUSEFULregister 122 based on the temperature change since capacitive touchcontroller 56 was last calibrated. During step 160 in FIG. 7b , digitalprocessing unit 104 reads the self-capacitance of temperature sensor 110and stores a value of the self-capacitance in memory or a register ofcapacitive touch controller 56. In other embodiments, a reading of avalue of the temperature of mobile device 10 from temperature sensor 110is stored. Digital processing unit 104 reads the self-capacitance oftemperature sensor 110, or the temperature of mobile device 10, againduring step 214 and calculates the change since capacitive touchcontroller 56 was last calibrated. The change in the reading oftemperature sensor 110 since last calibration is multiplied by the valueof TEMPCOEF register 126 to determine the total required adjustment tothe value in PROXUSEFUL register 122. The product of TEMPCOEF register126 and the change in temperature sensor 110 is subtracted fromPROXUSEFUL register 122 to adjust for the changes in temperature andother environmental factors. In the case where the temperature of mobiledevice 10 is lower than during calibration, the product with TEMPCOEFregister 126 is negative and subtracting from PROXUSEFUL register 122results in an increased value for Cuser in the PROXUSEFUL register.

In one example, mobile device 10 is at a temperature of 80° F. duringcalibration of capacitive touch controller 56, while at a later readingof Cuser the mobile device is at 84° F. With a temperature change of +4°F. and a TEMPCOEF register 126 value of 0.001 pF/° F., the product to besubtracted from PROXUSEFUL register 122 is 4° F.*0.001 pF/° F., or 0.004pF. The equivalent of 0.004 pF is subtracted from the value ofPROXUSEFUL register 122 so the PROXUSEFUL register approximately equalsthe value which would have been read at 80° F. In one embodiment, theleast significant bit of PROXUSEFUL register 122 represents 1/4000 pF,so the actual binary value to be subtracted in the above example is 00000000 0001 0000, or 0010 in hex.

In another example, capacitive touch controller 56 is calibrated at 81°F., and a reading of the self-capacitance of sensing element 58 isperformed at 75° F. The product to be subtracted from PROXUSEFULregister 122 is equal to −5° F.*0.001 pF/° F., or −0.005 pF. To adjustPROXUSEFUL register 122, digital processing unit adds the binary value0000 0000 0001 0100, or 0014 hex, to the PROXUSEFUL register. In someembodiments, digital processing unit 104 adjusts the value of Cuserprior to storage in PROXUSEFUL register 122. In embodiments wheretemperature is sensed by reading self-capacitance of temperature sensor110, a change in the self-capacitance of temperature sensor 110 isdetermined. The required adjustment to the Cuser reading of sensingelement 58 is determined by multiplying the change in capacitance oftemperature sensor 110 and the value of TEMPCOEF register 126.

In steps 214-216, capacitive touch controller 56 continues with normaloperation, similar to steps 178-180 in FIG. 9, but with PROXUSEFULregister 122 adjusted for drift due to temperature and otherenvironmental factors. In step 214, digital processing unit 104 comparesPROXUSEFUL register 122, which is adjusted for temperature variation, toPROXTHRESH register 124 to determine whether a portion of user 30 is inthe proximity of sensing element 58. In step 216, capacitive touchcontroller 56 interrupts CPU 34 if the value in PROXUSEFUL register 122is greater than the value in PROXTHRESH register 124, due to theprevious reading of the self-capacitance of sensing element 58indicating an absence of proximity.

When measuring the self-capacitance of sensing element 58, capacitivetouch controller 56 adjust readings to account for capacitance driftcaused by temperature changes. Each of the elements composing thecapacitance to be measured, e.g., ICs, connectors, antennas, and othercomponents, has a temperature susceptibility component which will eachadd up and create incorrect proximity reporting. If the drift impact onself-capacitance of sensing element 58 is greater than the projectedimpact of user 30 on self-capacitance, proximity is not detected whenthe user is actually in proximity. Because of the linear relationshipbetween electrical components and effect on capacitance, capacitivetouch controller 56 implements digital temperature compensation usingreference temperature sensor 110 to determine a temperature, thenmultiplying the temperature by a coefficient determined duringdevelopment of mobile device 10. The product of the temperature and thecoefficient is subtracted from the reading of Cuser to determine atemperature drift free value of Cuser.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated in detail, the skilled artisan will appreciate thatmodifications and adaptations to those embodiments may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A method of detecting proximity, comprising:providing a mobile device including a proximity sensor; determining acompensation value of the proximity sensor; and comparing thecompensation value to a reference compensation value to determinevalidity of the compensation value.
 2. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding: measuring a capacitance of the proximity sensor; andadjusting a value of the capacitance of the proximity sensor based onthe compensation value.
 3. The method of claim 2, further includingadjusting the value of the capacitance of the proximity sensor based ona temperature of the mobile device.
 4. The method of claim 2, furtherincluding comparing the adjusted capacitance value to a thresholdcapacitance value to determine proximity of an object to the mobiledevice.
 5. The method of claim 1, further including calculating acoefficient defining a relationship between a capacitance of theproximity sensor and a temperature of the mobile device.
 6. The methodof claim 5, further including: measuring the capacitance of theproximity sensor; measuring the temperature of the mobile device; andadjusting a value of the capacitance of the proximity sensor based onthe coefficient and the temperature of the mobile device.
 7. A method ofdetecting proximity, comprising: providing a mobile device including aproximity sensor; determining a compensation value of the proximitysensor; and determining validity of the compensation value.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, further including: determining a referencecompensation value of the proximity sensor; and determining validity ofthe compensation value by comparing the compensation value to thereference compensation value.
 9. The method of claim 7, furtherincluding: measuring a capacitance of the proximity sensor; andadjusting a value of the capacitance of the proximity sensor based onthe compensation value.
 10. The method of claim 9, further includingadjusting the value of the capacitance of the proximity sensor based ona temperature of the mobile device.
 11. The method of claim 9, furtherincluding comparing the adjusted capacitance value to a thresholdcapacitance value to determine proximity of an object to the mobiledevice.
 12. The method of claim 7, further including determining acoefficient defining a relationship between a capacitance of theproximity sensor and a temperature of the mobile device.
 13. The methodof claim 12, further including: measuring the capacitance of theproximity sensor; measuring the temperature of the mobile device; andadjusting a value of the capacitance of the proximity sensor based onthe coefficient and the temperature of the mobile device.
 14. A methodof detecting proximity, comprising: providing a proximity sensor; anddetermining a reference compensation value of the proximity sensor. 15.The method of claim 14, further including: determining a compensationvalue of the proximity sensor; and comparing the compensation value tothe reference compensation value.
 16. The method of claim 15, furtherincluding: measuring a capacitance of the proximity sensor; andadjusting a value of the capacitance of the proximity sensor based onthe compensation value.
 17. The method of claim 14, further including:measuring a capacitance of the proximity sensor; and adjusting a valueof the capacitance of the proximity sensor based on a temperaturesensor.
 18. The method of claim 14, further including adjusting a radiofrequency signal by detecting proximity with the proximity sensor. 19.The method of claim 14, further including determining a coefficientdefining a relationship between a capacitance of the proximity sensorand a temperature of the proximity sensor.
 20. The method of claim 19,further including adjusting a value of the capacitance of the proximitysensor using the coefficient and the temperature of the proximitysensor.
 21. A proximity sensor, comprising: a reference compensationvalue of the proximity sensor; and a comparator for comparing a secondcompensation value to the reference compensation value.
 22. Theproximity sensor of claim 21, further including a temperature sensorcoupled to the proximity sensor.
 23. The proximity sensor of claim 21,further including an offset compensation for reducing a value of acapacitance of the proximity sensor.
 24. The proximity sensor of claim23, wherein the offset compensation further includes a bank ofcapacitors controlled by the second compensation value.
 25. Theproximity sensor of claim 23, further including a digital processor foradjusting the reduced value of the capacitance of the proximity sensor.